Welcome to Mitcham ma'am

Cllr Edith Macauley (Mayor of Merton), Georg Gordon-Smith representing Lord Imbert, Churchwardens Keith Panny & John Wylie and HRH The Countess of Wessex

Her Royal Highness Sophie Countess of Wessex came to Mitcham on 13 November to visit the 'Crown Living' of St Olave's, as part of the Queen's Golden Jubilee programme.

She began her visit at Lonesome Junior School, Grove Road, where she formally opened the new extension and unveiled a commemorative plaque. Then it was on to the 'Red Hut' Childcare facility in Ivy Gardens to meet members of the Commonside Community Development Trust (CCDT), staff and children and to tour the facility.

At St. Olave's in Church Walk she toured the church and the Jubilee Exhibition, and visited the Nursery, to meet staff and children.

She ended her visit by taking part in a short act of worship with the congregation, including a song from the children, an anthem by the choir, hymns and prayers for The Queen.

A family party at St John's, Walworth

With a large percentage of people from African and Caribbean backgrounds the church family at St John's Walworth decided to celebrate the diversity of its origins with a Thanksgiving Service on 13 October. The service was followed by the presentation of 60 Bibles to the children and young people of St John's to commemorate the Queen's Golden Jubilee, after which around 140 people shared a buffet of African and Caribbean food (photo above).

St George, Waddon

A panto production of the story of George and the Dragon formed part of the 70th anniversary celebrations at St George, Waddon. The panto was conceived, written and produced by members of the congregation, and drew in other members of the local community. Both performances were sold out! The photograph shows, from left to right: The Dragon, Princess Daisy, and 'Barrow, the Fourth Page of the Water Closet'.

Barbados In Battersea

For the third consecutive year a service has been held at Christ Church & St Stephen Battersea to mark Barbados Independence Day, 30 November.

A large congregation of Barbadians from Battersea and elsewhere, were joined by the High Commissioner for Barbados - who began the celebrations by raising the national flag of Barbados on the flag pole in the church grounds - and by the Mayor and the Archdeacon of Wandsworth.

This year for the first time the address was given by a non-Barbadian, Canon Peter Clark, Vicar of Christ Church. He thanked the Barbadians for their contribution to the life of this country and the Church, reminding them that the first black Bishop in England (Bishop Wilfred) is a Bajan. But, he said, "let us celebrate independence but never forget that nowadays we are inter-dependent - a global village. It is God's purpose that we live together, as brothers and sisters of the same heavenly father. May we all be one".

Music was provided by the Barbados Overseas Nurses' Association Choir and by the Aria Voice Gospel Choir. After the service there was a reception with food, drink and music from Barbados and the principal guests were presented with commemorative T-shirts to mark the occasion.

Celebrating women's ministry

On Sunday 10 November St Mary the Virgin, Mortlake celebrated the 10th anniversary of the General Synod vote for women's priesthood with Bucks Fizz and cake all round! Photo: left-right The Rev. Peggy Jackson, Team Rector with churchwardens Mel Le Vesconte and Margaret Harrop.